What Makes a Law Student, *THE* Law Student

Nearing the end of the semester is always the most fulfilling part of the year, but also the most draining, realising you’re three weeks behind in content, haven’t touched any exam revision and the whole entire world seems to be crashing down onto your shoulders (can you tell I’m dramatic?). 

While everyone’s out having drinks and going to parties celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and everything in between - it hurts to sacrifice your Saturday night to catch up on notes. Or you go out and celebrate and you come home and blink and you’re suddenly 5 weeks behind. That feeling of the world crashing down is one of the most exhausting experiences I personally have ever felt, where I find myself questioning, am I made for this?

Am I made to be a law student?

I’m sure it’s a question a large majority of us have had before. I know I question myself at least once a month, especially when the blue car park is completely full at 9am. 

Which makes me question every thought I’ve ever had, every choice I’ve ever made and every word I’ve ever spoken. 

So, what do you do when you doubt yourself and question, do I have it in me to be a law student? 

Well, perhaps the better question to ask, is what really is a law student? 

A law student is what you define it to be, and what you want it to be. The basic prerequisite of a law student is a student who studies Law, but other than that, every other characteristic is defined by you. 

The need to be in six other extracurriculars, and three law programs, and have five practice exams done before the semester ends are all unrealistic, overhyped expectations that I’m sure some people have most definitely accomplished, but it is not the law student I am and not the law student you have to be either. 

I know when I feel like everything is draining and I’m not built like a law student, my friends are always there to tell me that I am because I wouldn’t have made it past week two if I wasn’t. 

Or I get yelled at to pull myself together (shoutout to Maggie and Ray). 

If you take the time to talk to another law student, or any university student for that matter, I can guarantee that more likely than not, you’re going to find a number of people who are also three weeks behind in content, or you’ll find another fellow law student who hasn’t applied for a single legal program, and are fully content enjoying their university experience as is. And suddenly, the world isn’t crashing down on your shoulders, life feels fun, and you can breathe a sigh of relief because you’re not as far behind as you’ve been convincing yourself that you are. 

By finding time for myself and relating the content to silly little memes (because I really am just a girl) I have been able to enjoy the content and find fun in learning. I make sure to carve out time to see friends, as their support and laughter keep me grounded and gives me a break from studying and a sense of accomplishment in my social life. Most importantly, I've learnt to believe in myself and take pride in my efforts. Even when the challenges seem overwhelming, I remind myself of how far I've come and that I can get through the insufferable blue carpark and all the weeks content. To me, this balance of knowing when I need to focus and giving myself that time to zone in, but also allowing myself to enjoy the little laughs with my friends (or even by myself) is what makes me THE law student.

So, when I ask myself, do I have it in me to be a law student, I can safely answer, yes, I am the law student I want to be. 

Choosing to believe in yourself, and the goals you can achieve, that, is what makes you THE law student.

Written by Rita Banfal